Constantine Michael Rizopoulos

Constantine M. Rizopoulos, age 94 of Alexandria, VA, passed away peacefully at home on September 22nd. He was the beloved husband of Constance Rizopoulos (1930-2013), loving father of Michael, Christina and Doreen, grandfather of Dena, Michael (1983-2010), Nicholas, and Allex, and great grandfather to Michael, Eliana, and Araya.

Constantine was born in Greece and came to America in the 1930’s. He spent his childhood in Aliquippa, PA, where he met the love of his life, Constance, to whom he was married for 60 years. A WWII veteran, he served in the Pacific Theater in the Army Air Corps/Airforce and received commendation for involvement in the first non-stop flight around the world by any aircraft.

Constantine received a BS in Mathematics, and a M.Ed.(Master of Education). His career in education spanned over 40 years where he served as a high school teacher, department chair, and football coach at Port Jefferson High School, and college professor, supervising principal, private school administrator, and served on national education committees.

Constantine’s commitment to education extended to his involvement with AHEPA (American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association https://ahepa.org/donate/) as vice president and president of local AHEPA chapters (visit www.ahepa319.org to donate to the Stony Brook University Hellenic Studies Scholarship Program); Governor and Lt Governor of District chapters, and Supreme Governor of AHEPA National. In addition, he chaired AHEPA scholarship committees, and he was twice awarded AHEPAN of the year.

Among Constantine’s. many noteworthy community service and charitable giving endeavors involved the instrumental role he played as a founding member of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Port Jefferson (donations can be sent to Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 430 Sheep Pasture Rd, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, checks made out to GOCOA), and in establishing the New Smyrna Odyssey Memorial which pays tribute to the first Greek colonists to arrive in North America (http://www.ahepa410.org/odyssey-memorial).

A lifetime achievement, Constantine received the highest and most prestigious honor bestowed upon a layperson for their community service for the Greek Orthodox Church, an Archon of Ecumenical Patriarchate of America, Order of Saint Andrew, the Apostle, which was presented to him by President George H. W. Bush.

Constantine was an avid artist, fisherman, historian, and mathematician. He loved cooking, listening to a broad array of music genres (Gregorian chants, opera and military marches), playing poker, and watching college sports. He will be deeply missed, and we will cherish our memories of him.

Donations can be made to:

Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption
430 Sheep Pasture Road
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Checks can be made out to: GOCOA

Odyssey Memorial
105 South Riverside Drive
New Smyrna Beach, FL 30168
Visit: http://www.ahepa410.org/odyssey-memorial

American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association
Visit: https://ahepa.org/odonate/

Stony Brook University Hellenic Studies Scholarship Program:
Donations are accepted by check, credit card, and by Zelle at:
www.ahepa319.org

AHEPA Port Jefferson Chapter 319
430 Sheep Pasture Road
Port Jefferson, NY 11777